Thursday, May 1, 2014

key lime pie-lets {recipe}

When I need a delicious, refreshing summer dessert, this key lime pie has become my go-to recipe since my mom shared it with me. I usually make a 9-inch pie with it, but recently I needed something easier to serve for a dessert buffet, so I changed it up and made mini key lime pies, or "pielets." {Cutest name ever, by the way.}

No one would believe me when I told them how easy this recipe is. It's a little scary how easy it is, actually. I can make it anytime I want. .

Key Lime Pie Recipe

(Makes 1 - 9 inch pie or about 10 mini pies)

1/2 cup sour cream (I used fat-free and it tasted just as good as the full fat sour cream! I cannot recommend reduced-fat sour cream--I haven't tried it but the consistency is usually different from full fat or fat-free)

1 Tbsp. grated lime zest

3/4 cup key lime juice

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

Combine all ingredients and blend well. Spoon filling into pie crust(s). Place pies on baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until filling is set. Do not brown. Chill completely in refrigerator. Garnish with whipped cream and a lime slice before serving.

Hints & Tips

When it comes to the key lime juice (don't try using regular lime juice--it won't be tart enough), I prefer to use a bottled juice rather than squeeze a million of those tiny key limes. This Nellie & Joe's brand key lime juice is my fave.

I found these mini graham cracker pie crusts in the baking aisle at Walmart. Adorable.

I used about 1/4 cup pie filling for each mini pie crust.

Place your pies on a baking sheet before putting them in the oven.

I sliced a lime and made a small cut halfway into the slice so I could twist them and set them on top of the whipped topping.

So regular whipped cream is absolutely dreamy on these, but I tried a coconut-flavored whipped cream with these and it was pretty amazing, too!

Coconut Whipped Cream Recipe

1 cup heavy whipping cream

3 Tbsp. powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. imitation coconut flavoring

Whip all ingredients in mixer until stiff peaks form. If you don't want to use coconut flavoring, increase vanilla to 1 full teaspoon.

To dress up your pielets, try slipping them into a cupcake wrapper, like these cute ones I found at Pick Your Plum.

If you love lime and coconut like me, don't miss this recipe for Coconut Lime Cupcakes that I served at a Cinco de Mayo party!